Gaston

Once there was a little elephant. His name was Gaston. His mother and father worked from early morning till late at night. All elephants liked to work, but Gaston did not like to work. He liked to play all day long.

One morning, Gaston's mother said, "My dear Gaston, it is time for you to work, too."

But Gaston did not want to work. He ran away to the forest. In the forest, he had a good time. He ran, jumped, sang songs, and played games.

In the evening, Gaston was hungry. He wanted something to eat. At home, his mother always gave him fruit and vegetables. But now, there was no mother. Who could help him?

He went to the lion and said, "Please, give me something to eat."

"All right," said the lion, "but you must work first. Then you can eat."

Gaston did not want to work, so he ran away to the tiger. "Please, give me something to eat," he said to the tiger.

"All right," said the tiger, "but you must work first."

Gaston went away again. He asked many animals to give him food, but all of them said, "You must work first."

Then, Gaston went back home to his mother and father. He was very tired and hungry. "I am sorry, Mother," said Gaston. "Now, I know that I must work."